Forest department flays PWD for relocating trees

The public works department (building and roads) is relocating 50 trees coming in way of the construction of labour court on the Mini Secretariat premises. HT reports.

The public works department (building and roads) is relocating 50 trees coming in way of the construction of labour court on the Mini Secretariat premises. But the department has drawn flak from the forest department as the latter says the PWD did not seek its permission before starting the work.

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The department wants to slap a fine on PWD.

To build the labour court, about 50 trees need to be chopped down, but deputy commissioner PC Meena has asked the PWD (building and roads) authorities to relocate these trees instead. “This will help in preserving the environment. The department has undertaken the work of relocating the trees for the first time, in which it has been quite successful,” he said.

Some forest department officials on condition of anonymity said, “The PWD started the work without taking forest department’s permission. Even if it is being carried out on the orders of a higher authority, nobody is above the law,” said an official.

Executive engineer of PWD (building and roads) Ram Avatar Hooda said, “We will not carry out the work without obtaining the permission at the local level. It is a noble cause and should not be dragged into politics. The work is going on and is expected to be completed in five or six days.”

So far, 25 trees have been relocated — 10 chanda, five chandni, five calendera and five himalia pentas. Besides, the relocation of seven marodphali, 12 pilkhan, one alestonia and five chakresia trees is in progress.